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Overnight ferry service: Revised proposal sent to TD

Posted in : News on by : Around DB Comments: 1

On Tuesday May 14, Islands District Councillor Amy Yung posted on Facebook about the proposal that the Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd. (DBTPL) put forward to the government Transport Department (TD) concerning the replacement of the overnight ferry service with a bus route from central to the main plaza. The post read:

Further to my survey sent to more than 8,000 DB households late last year where 90% of the replies objected to the cancellation of the overnight ferry service, [DBTPL] backed down and has revised the application [to be vetted by the TD]. In the meantime there has been no change to our overnight ferry schedules. Rest assured that I’ll conduct another survey to gauge [the residents’] views should [the] TD send out the consultation on [DBTPL’s] revised application.

In response to Ms. Yung’s post, HKR has released the following statement:

Subsequent to the flyer on Overnight Bus Proposal sent to more than 8,000 DB [households] in last October, [DB Transportation Services Ltd.] received various quality and constructive opinions from residents through its dedicated mailbox ([email protected]) in the past few months.

Among the opinions collected, residents commented positively to the current ferry services. However, they realized the substantial environmental benefit of the plan, dire financial situation and operation difficulties faced by the ferry operation, and the importance of maintaining sustainable transport operations for Discovery Bay through rationalizing the extremely under-utilized overnight ferry services with efficient overnight bus services, in order to avoid trimming on day-time ferry service or significant fare rise. Meanwhile, they pointed out that modifications to the last ferry departure time and fare level are necessary.

“Having conscientiously reviewed and considered the feasible suggestions from community members, we have revised the proposal on the last sailing time and the overnight bus fare level. We wish the Transport Department can launch a local consultation on the revised proposal [as soon as possible].

“Meanwhile, we would like to clarify that the Company hasn’t received any details of opinions/suggestions from residents collected through [Ms. Yung’s survey] in the past few months.”

On October 24., 2018, the Discovery Bay City Owners Committee voted to replace the overnight ferry service buses, in light of the earlier recommendation of the Passenger Liaison Group.  Reasons stated for the change included the major losses incurred from running the frequently empty overnight ferries, as well as the service’s environmental impact. A week later, DBTPL released a statement and pamphlet detailing the proposed price and schedule of the bus service that was to be put to the TD. Since then, some residents have expressed their concern about the proposal; arguing that the journey will take longer and will not have toilet facilities, and that the replacement may negatively affect  local property prices.

Comment(s) on - Overnight ferry service: Revised proposal sent to TD

  • Leung Reply

    HKR isn’t exactly transparent. The so-called “opinion” provided by HKR at the security office are forms that only has tick boxes that support overnight buses and has NOTHING to tick to object overnight buses. If you have already made up your mind to force overnight buses on the residences and don’t plan to give us any real say in this issue, then why bother to ask us?

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